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Article
Publication date: 14 June 2011

Noha El‐Bassiouny, Ahmed Taher and Ehab Abou‐Aish

The current study seeks to focus on highlighting the extent of changes in consumer behavior by character/ethics education. The research is designed as a pioneer empirical study…

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Abstract

Purpose

The current study seeks to focus on highlighting the extent of changes in consumer behavior by character/ethics education. The research is designed as a pioneer empirical study, sampling Egypt as an example of a growing consumer market as well as an illustration of the relevance of character education programs for inducing changes in consumption patterns. The central aim of the work is to contribute to the body of knowledge of marketing science and marketing ethics with respect to strategic issues like targeting new and growing consumer segments. The practical relevance of the chosen research problem is increasing as character/ethics education (as a trend) itself is increasing, thus possibly influencing the behavior and consumption patterns of children as current and potential buyers of goods and services in the market. In addition, the research proposes character education as a potential solution to growing concerns about childhood consumerism.

Design/methodology/approach

The research utilized a mixed research methodology, where qualitative research was first used to develop the model, which was tested using a quantitative approach through a post‐test only control group design. Four variables were tested, namely consumption style, opinion leadership, humanitarianism, and ethnocentrism. The best‐known scales in the consumer research literature were compiled and modified to form the instrument for this research.

Findings

The results showed an overall significant difference between the consumer behavior of the test and control groups.

Research limitations/implications

The present empirical study focused on the effect of character education programs on tweens in Egypt. Future research should extend into testing other forms of character development such as social‐emotional learning, positive psychology, and Montessori education. Cross‐cultural research is also recommended in this largely under‐represented area.

Practical implications

Character education is a growing trend. Marketers can benefit from this research, as they are more able to assess the consumption behavior of a growing market segment. Government officials and public policy makers can also make use of the research in their decisions related to implementing character education programs.

Social implications

Humanitarianism was an obvious dimension of character education effects. The present research indicates that children exposed to character education are likely to exhibit ethical consumption on the consumer level as well as a greater inclination toward corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the managerial level. On the other hand, marketers can utilize the present research results to take note of their societal contributions and achieve balance in the societal marketing triad through assessing the long‐term effects of their actions on consumers, especially young consumers.

Originality/value

The research is ground‐breaking in its assessment of the overlaps between character education and consumer behavior. The research is important for parents, educators, marketers, and policy makers.

Details

Young Consumers, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-3616

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 September 2015

Mariam Mourad Hussein Abou-Youssef, Wael Kortam, Ehab Abou-Aish and Noha El-Bassiouny

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of Islamic religiosity on consumer attitudes toward Islamic banking in Egypt.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of Islamic religiosity on consumer attitudes toward Islamic banking in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, employing both qualitative in-depth interviews and quantitative surveys.

Findings

The main findings of the study show that religiosity has an impact on consumer attitudes toward Islamic banking in Egypt. Major religiosity clusters were identified from the sample and these were associated with attitudes toward Islamic banking.

Practical implications

The findings of this research are of practical importance for marketers in Islamic banks, as they reflect on the likely role religiosity would play in shaping the attitudes of potential customers toward their products. Thus, marketers can use the religiosity scale in measuring intention to use their banking services.

Originality/value

The study was implemented in Egypt, where the volume of research on this topic is very limited; thus the context of the study is of value to researchers and practitioners and it can serve as a base for future studies in the Middle East region.

Details

International Journal of Bank Marketing, vol. 33 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-2323

Keywords

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